diff --git a/src/common/config.py b/src/common/config.py
index ebbdc8ab8..39aed3d25 100644
--- a/src/common/config.py
+++ b/src/common/config.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class Config:
 		'confirm_close_muc': [opt_bool, True], # confirm closing MUC window
 		'notify_on_file_complete': [opt_bool, True], # notif. on file complete
 		'file_transfers_port': [opt_int, 28011],  # port, used for file transfers
-		'conversation_font': [opt_str, 'Sans 10'],
+		'conversation_font': [opt_str, ''],
 		# IEC standard says KiB = 1024 bytes KB = 1000 bytes
 		'use_kib_mib': [opt_bool, False],
 		'notify_on_all_muc_messages': [opt_bool, False],
diff --git a/src/config.py b/src/config.py
index 9f0c3c6ef..386a50ed4 100644
--- a/src/config.py
+++ b/src/config.py
@@ -239,6 +239,12 @@ class PreferencesWindow:
 
 		#Font for messages
 		font = gajim.config.get('conversation_font')
+		# try to set default font for the current desktop env
+		if font == '':
+			font = gtkgui_helpers.get_default_font()
+			if font is None:
+				font = 'Sans 10'
+			gajim.config.set('conversation_font', font)
 		self.xml.get_widget('conversation_fontbutton').set_font_name(font)
 
 		# on new message
diff --git a/src/gtkgui_helpers.py b/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
index f0a8ab326..8199e692c 100644
--- a/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
+++ b/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
@@ -28,6 +28,16 @@ i18n.init()
 _ = i18n._
 from common import gajim
 
+def get_default_font():
+	''' Get the desktop setting for application font.
+	(Currently it works only for Gnome)	'''
+	try:
+		import gconf
+		client = gconf.client_get_default()
+	except:
+		return None
+	return client.get_string('/desktop/gnome/interface/font_name')
+	
 def reduce_chars_newlines(text, max_chars = 0, max_lines = 0, 
 	widget = None):
 	''' Cut the chars after 'max_chars' on each line